Rachel Anderson

Rachel Anderson, beloved wife of the late Robert Anderson, passed away March 21, 2025 at the Carberry Personal Care Home with her family by her side. Rachel was born May 7, 1928 in Brandon, MB to Edith and James Maurice Cousans. The family lived in Brandon for many years and enjoyed summer holidays camping at Clear Lake. Rachel’s father had established himself as a reputable traveling piano tuner in southern Manitoba having left Lincoln, England and the family’s Cousans’ Organ Factory.

In 1946, Rae met Bob Anderson at a St George’s Anglican Church Veteran’s dance and as Mother loved to say “and the rest was history.” The couple were soon married and their first son Wayne was born in Brandon in 1948. Bob obtained a position as a Meteorologist in Whitehorse, Yukon where their daughter Linda was born in 1949 and Lisa in 1955. They enjoyed their close-knit Whitehorse community, met and kept many friends there. When Lisa was a few months old, they accepted a posting with the DOT at The Pas, MB Airport weather station. It was here, that Suzanne was born in 1958 and their fifth child, David, in 1961. The family lived just above beautiful Clearwater Lake. Rae and Bob longed to own a business so purchased property, renovated and set up a Florist & Plant Shop and then Linda Rae’s Beauty Salon in the town of The Pas. Rae attended hairdressing training in Brandon, and operated Linda Rae’s for many years and had many happy and loyal customers. Later, Rae spent several of her early retirement years offering hairdressing services to the residents at the Carberry Personal Care Home.

In 1973, Bob took an early retirement and the family moved to Carberry where Rae’s parents had been living. It took them several years to renovate the quonset building and establish their home and gardens on their acreage on the edge of town. They loved to explore the local countryside. A favourite and frequent drive was to Spruce Woods with a picnic lunch where they enjoyed nature, especially the plants and birds with the grandchildren. The couple enjoyed many opportunities to travel in their retirement, visiting New Zealand, Yugoslavia, England, the Canadian Maritimes and West Coast.

Rae had avid interests in the Carberry Museum, Tai Chi, Genealogy, Horticulture and Junior Gardens, and the ARTS, and belonged to many community organizations. She contributed to Carberry through her volunteer work and was nominated Woman of Distinction YWCA Brandon in 2001.

After 63 years of marriage, Bob passed away in 2010, and Rae moved into the Marshall Manor. She enjoyed the companionship there, and continued to serve on several community organizations. In 2015, Rachel moved to the Rotary Villas in Brandon, and for the last 5 years Rachel made her home at the Carberry Personal Care Home.

Rachel was an only child and felt truly blessed having had 5 children, 13 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandchild, each of whom she was “very proud!”

Rachel was predeceased by her husband Bob, son Wayne, grandson Reid and sons-in-law Skip and Leslie.

Rachel is lovingly remembered and deeply missed by her 4 children: daughter Linda: children Michael (Melody), Daniel, Andrew (Amanda); daughter Lisa (Doug): children Leora (Shannon), Matthew (Ashley); daughter Suzanne: children Carrie (Darren), Lindsay (Herlof), Jonathan (Linda); and son David (Laurie): children Lori, Elicia (Devin), Kyle, Victoria, and their families. Rachel is also fondly remembered by her cousin Helen, her loving extended family members and her many friends.

Rachel’s family wishes to express their deep gratitude to the Carberry PCH for their years of compassionate care of our dear Mother.

To our cherished and precious Mother “Rest in peace, dear Momma”.

A funeral service will be held graveside at the Carberry Cemetery Friday, May 2, 2025 at 1:30 pm for friends and family with a luncheon gathering to follow at the Carberry Senior Centre.

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